SFC soldier hanged for murdering five members of the same family

A court-martial has sentenced Robert Herbertson Birivumbuka to death for the murder of five family members in the Mayuge district of eastern Uganda.

The Army Court, presided over by Lieutenant Colonel Moses Nabaasa, heard that Birivumbuka in Nawanvubu village, Buwaaya sub-county, shot dead Isaac Mudhasi Buyinza and his children Elesi Kafuko, Resty Kantono and Nicholas Musasizi in June.

The shooting also left Jesca Timujibwa, Viola Kyakueaire, Ham Kitiibwa and Maureen hospitalized with injuries.

After his conviction, Birivumbuka received multiple sentences: the death penalty for the first murder, 90 years in prison for the second, life imprisonment for the third, 54 years for the fourth and 52 years for the fifth.

He was also sentenced to 25 years for counts six, seven and eight, 20 years for counts nine and three years on conspiracy charges, all to be served at Luzira Maximum Prison.

Birivumbuka’s father, Patrick Tagabam, one of his co-convicts, was sentenced to one year in prison, while Med Mumbya was jailed for six months in Kirinya. Sharif Mudhasi Bosco was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

While delivering the verdict, Nabasa said military officers of Birivumbuka’s caliber are trained to protect lives and it is unlawful for them to turn the barrels of their guns to kill others.

On Wednesday, Birivumbuka asked the court for forgiveness, arguing that he was depressed. This is after he pleaded guilty to nine counts of murder and attempted murder.

On Tuesday, Entebbe Chief Magistrate Stella Maris Amabilis told the court-martial that Birivumbuka had made an extrajudicial confession in which he admitted to the murder of his uncle Isaac Mudhasi.

A 45-year-old soldier from the elite Special Forces Command (SFC) is said to be on the run after allegedly shooting dead three civilians and seriously wounding three others in Agago district, northern Uganda.

Pte Bony Ameny,45, a resident of Ocini Tetulu Village, Kamdini Sub-Province, Oyam District, who was deployed to Pakor Dungu Detachment in Parabongo Sub-Province, Agago District. Ameny opened fire on civilians in Ngora East village in Paimol sub-county. province, about 15 kilometers outside his deployment area, police said on October 21.
Local leaders identified the deceased as Florence Ajalo, 16, Akidi Santina, 52, and her 19-year-old daughter Sunday Apio.